Joe Flynn (US actor)
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Joe Flynn (November 8, 1924 - July 19, 1974) was an American character actor best known for his participation in the popular 1960s TV sitcom, McHale's Navy. Later in his career, Flynn also served as a voice actor in various Walt Disney animated features.
Flynn was born to a prominent physician in Youngstown, Ohio, a steel-manufacturing center located near the Pennsylvania border. He graduated from the Rayen (High) School, attended the University of Notre Dame for one year, and spent three years in the Army Medical Corps before moving west, in 1946, to pursue acting and complete his education. Flynn majored in political science at the University of Southern California.
His interest in theater was evident prior to his departure from northeastern Ohio. Flynn established himself early on as a radio deejay and ventriloquist. He gained local celebrity as a director by guiding the Canfield (Ohio) Players in such productions as Harvey, Antigone, and Pursuit of Happiness. Flynn broke into television in pre-network days and, in 1948, starred in his own situation comedy, Yer Old Buddy.
After appearing in a number of stage plays, Flynn returned to Youngstown, where in 1950, he conducted an unsucessful campaign for a seat in the Ohio Senate as a Republican.
Following his electoral defeat, he pursued his acting career and got his first real motion picture start in Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. After that, he appeared in nearly 30 films, including many Disney films.
Over the years, he achieved recognition in the television field, earning credits as a regular on The Life of Riley and Ozzie and Harriet. In 1961, he was one of the regulars on the first season of The Joey Bishop Show, but left early on, reportedly because he was stealing too many scenes from star Bishop. From 1962 through 1966, Flynn played the irascible Captain Binghamton on McHale's Navy and also starred in two theatrical films spun off from the series.
In the early 1970s, Flynn spearheaded a movement on behalf of the Screen Actors Guild for more equitable distribution of TV residual payments.
Shortly after completing voiceover work for the Disney animated feature, The Rescuers (1977), the 49-year-old Flynn was discovered by family members in the swimming pool of his Beverly Hills home, the victim of an apparent drowning accident. Although some celebrity friends expressed concern about the unusual circumstances surrounding Flynn's death, authorities found no evidence of foul play. Some believe Flynn suffered a heart attack while swimming.
Throughout his life, Joe Flynn retained a deep affection for his hometown; and from 1969 to the year of his death, he was actively involved in northeastern Ohio's celebrated Kenley Players. He would often return to Youngstown to visit family residing on Elm Street, on the city's Northside. In recognition of his contributions to the broadcasting field, Flynn became the ninth recipient of the Ohio Association of Broadcasters Award.
References
The Youngstown Vindicator, Youngstown, Ohio, July 20, 1974.External Links
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